Wizards vs. Hornets preview: Washington looks to take care of business in Charlotte

Game Info

When: Saturday, March 18 at 7:00 pm EST
Where: Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina
TV: CSN Mid-Atlantic
Radio: 1500 AM and Wizards Radio App

Injury Report

Wizards: Markieff Morris (Questionable, Illness)

Hornets: Nicolas Batum (Out, Migraines), Ramon Sessions (Out, Knee), Miles Plumlee (Out, Calf), Johnny O’Bryant (Questionable, Ankle)

What to Watch for

IT’S A TRAP

The Wizards are a very good team. The Hornets are about as bad as you can be in the East without actively tanking or being the Knicks. That said, there are a few reasons why this might not be a cake walk:

• The Wizards are on the second night of a back-to-back. The Hornets haven’t played since Wednesday.
• Charlotte was walloped by 21 in their last game and they’ve had a few nights to stew on that painful loss. Even though they might be shorthanded without Batum, Sessions, and Plumlee, they’ll be motivated to make sure they don’t have a repeat performance.
• Washington has had a tendency to play down to opponents in recent weeks.
• Even though the Hornets have struggled, they still have a top-ten defense and are among the best teams in the NBA at protecting the ball. It won’t be easy to get cheap buckets in transition or in the pick-and-roll in this one.

All that said, the Wizards should still win this one, but don’t be surprised if Washington has to slog through this one for a bit before pulling out the win.

Most Likely Wizards Killer: Briante Weber

Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Weber is coming off a respectable outing against the Pacers on Wednesday, where he finished with 8 points and 5 rebounds in 20 minutes of action. The VCU alum will certainly take any and all opportunities between now and the end of the season to improve his shot at making a NBA roster next season, so don’t be surprised if he tries to make it long night for Brandon Jennings or whoever else he guards in this one.